I found some good advice for seeing flowers around Las Vegas on Inside Bay Area’s travel section. Someone asked when the best time to see the desert plants in bloom within driving distance of Las Vegas was during February or March?

Best bets include three California parks: Death Valley National Park (especially Salisbury Pass), the Joshua Tree National Park and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. In the vicinity of Nevada and Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Arizona, wildflower hot spots include Northshore Road and Willow Beach. Spring, Virgin, and Newberry mountains are also possibilities.

The wildflowers are generally at their best between mid-March and mid-April. But the flowering schedule and the number and size of blossoms is highly dependent upon winter rains and temperatures. In this case, waiting until the last minute might be the way to go, check frequently with the visitor centers of each national park.

Heading East is also a great way to see natural Beauty. Zion National Park is only 3.5 hours away, the North Rim of The Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon are both about 5 hours away. From Bryce it is an easy two or three day (or more if you have the time) loop through Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands. Returning through Monument Valley.

Also, The South Rim of The Grand Canyon is easily reached (about 5 hours) by heading over Hoover Dam and heading East on I-40.

I recommend checking out the DVDs produced by ADVENTURE CROSSING. They have worked with the park service to create fantastic trip planners for this entire area.